Birmingham Airport (BHX) – Terminals, Airlines & Transport Guide
About Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the UK’s third-largest airport outside London, serving as the primary international gateway for the Midlands. Birmingham Airport serves over 130 direct destinations through a mix of full-service, low-cost, and leisure airlines. Located in Solihull, just 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Birmingham city centre, it is uniquely positioned right next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and is served by its own mainline train station. The airport was officially opened as Elmdon Airport on 8 July 1939 by the Duchess of Kent, with its original Art Deco terminal building, which is now a Grade II listed structure . During the Second World War, it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and used as RAF Elmdon before reopening to civilian operations in 1946
The airport has undergone massive renovations in 2024/2025, unveiling a “Next Generation” security hall that has modernized the passenger experience. It handles over 12 million passengers annually.
Key Airport Stats
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Full Name |
Birmingham Airport |
|
IATA Code |
BHX |
|
ICAO Code |
EGBB |
|
Location |
Bickenhill / Solihull (8 miles from City Centre) |
|
Terminals |
1 (Single merged terminal facility) |
|
Annual Traffic |
~12-13 Million Passengers |
|
Hub Airlines |
Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways, EasyJet |
|
Official Website |
Terminals Information
- Check-in: The check-in hall is one large continuous space on the Ground Floor.
- Zone A (South): Primarily Jet2.com and TUI.
- Zones B & C: Ryanair, EasyJet, and most other carriers.
- Zone D: Emirates.
- Departures: All passengers pass through the same central security area on the First Floor and feed into the main departure lounge (World Duty Free area).
- Transfers: As a single building, transfers are done by walking; no shuttle buses are needed between gates.
Airlines Operating at Birmingham Airport
Major International Carriers
Major International Carriers
- Emirates: Operates the iconic A380 daily direct to Dubai (DXB).
- Qatar Airways: Daily flights to Doha (DOH).
- Turkish Airlines: Double daily flights to Istanbul (IST).
- Lufthansa / Air France / KLM: Frequent connections to Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, and Amsterdam.
- Aer Lingus: Regional flights to Dublin and Belfast.
Low-Cost & Holiday Carriers
- Jet2.com: The largest operator at BHX. Massive network to Spain, Greece, Turkey, and the Canaries.
- Ryanair: Extensive network across Europe.
- EasyJet: Major base with flights to city break and beach destinations.
- TUI Airways: Long-haul charters (Mexico, Caribbean) and short-haul beach routes.
How to get from Birmingham Airport to City Centre
BHX is one of the best-connected airports in the UK due to its “Air-Rail Link.”
Transport Options Overview
|
Mode |
Route / Operator |
Time to City |
Cost (Approx) |
|
Train (Fastest) |
West Midlands / Avanti / CrossCountry From Birmingham International Station |
10-15 mins |
£3.50 – £5.00 |
|
Bus |
National Express X1 / X12 Stops at Digbeth / Moor Street |
45-60 mins |
£2.00 (Fare Cap) |
|
Taxi / Uber |
Arrow Cars / Uber Door-to-door |
25-30 mins |
£25 – £40 |
|
Car Hire |
Car Rental Village Requires free shuttle bus |
N/A |
£40+ /day |
- The Air-Rail Link (Monorail): A free, driverless cable liner that runs every 2 minutes between the Airport Terminal (Upper Level) and Birmingham International Train Station. The journey takes just 90 seconds.
- Train Connections: From Birmingham International, you can catch direct trains to London Euston (1h 10m), Manchester, and Coventry.
Airport Facilities & Services
Departures
- Check-in:
- Jet2/TUI: Arrive 3 hours prior.
- Ryanair/EasyJet: Arrive 2-2.5 hours prior.
- Security: The new security hall is efficient, but queues can still form during the morning rush (5:00 AM – 7:00 AM).
- Express Lane: Available to pre-book for approx. £5.00.
Arrivals
- Immigration: E-Gates are available for UK, EU, US, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea passport holders.
- Meeting Point: The arrivals area is on the Ground Floor. There are coffee shops (Costa/Greggs) nearby for waiting.
Popular Routes from Manchester Airport
- Birmingham to Dubai (DXB): The flagship long-haul route.
- Birmingham to Dublin (DUB): High frequency (Aer Lingus/Ryanair).
- Birmingham to Amsterdam (AMS): Key hub connection (KLM/EasyJet).
- Birmingham to Alicante (ALC): Top holiday route.
- Birmingham to Belfast (BHD/BFS): Domestic connector.
- Birmingham to Tenerife (TFS): Year-round winter sun.
Nearby Airports
- East Midlands Airport (EMA):
- Distance: 40 miles (45 mins drive).
- Best For: Dedicated freight and low-cost holiday flights (Ryanair/Jet2) if BHX prices are high.
- Manchester Airport (MAN):
- Distance: 85 miles (1h 30m drive/train).
- Best For: More long-haul variety (USA, Asia).
Airport Hotels Nearby
|
Hotel |
Distance |
Connection |
|
Novotel Birmingham Airport |
1 min walk |
Directly opposite the terminal entrance. |
|
Ibis Budget / Ibis Styles |
2-3 min walk |
Located just behind the Novotel. |
|
Hilton Garden Inn |
5 min walk |
Located next to the terminal/car park area. |
|
Genting Hotel |
10 min walk |
Located in Resorts World (via NEC/Train station). |
|
Hilton Metropole |
15 min walk |
Located at the NEC (Shuttle available). |
Weather Information
- Climate: Temperate Maritime.
- Conditions: similar to the rest of the UK.
- Winter Operations: BHX is well-equipped for snow and rarely closes compared to London airports, but de-icing delays can occur in Jan/Feb.
Birmingham Airport To Thailand Flights
Flights from Birmingham Airport to Malaysia
FAQs
Qatar Airways operates from the main terminal at Birmingham Airport . After passing security, passengers can easily find the airline staff and facilities within the single terminal building.
On average, Birmingham Airport has approximately 58 departure flights each day . The airport handles over 12.8 million passengers annually, making it the seventh busiest in the UK.
Major airlines operating at BHX include easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Emirates, Qatar Airways, TUI Airways, and KLM . The airport serves over 130 direct destinations through a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers.
Birmingham Airport has a variety of cafes, bars, and restaurants offering passengers a wide range of dining choices, from quick snacks to full meals . Options include Costa Coffee, Pret A Manger, Wetherspoon, and Frankie & Benny’s Deli.
Birmingham Airport offers several lounges, including the Aspire Lounge near Gate 54, where passengers can relax before their flight . Lounges typically offer complimentary snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi, newspapers, and comfortable seating.
It is recommended to reserve at least two and a half hours for connecting flights, especially when transferring to an international flight . This allows time for going through customs, collecting luggage if needed, and checking in for your next flight.
The minimum age to rent all vehicle types from Enterprise at BHX is 30 . Renters aged 25 or older may rent specific car categories, including Mini, Economy, Compact, Intermediate, and Standard vehicles.
If your checked luggage is missing or damaged, follow the airport’s baggage instructions and report the issue immediately to your airline’s baggage service desk in the arrivals hall . The airline is responsible for handling baggage claims and compensation.
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